FAQ

It is the assessment that holders of an MBA or a master's in accounting can take to be eligible to go straight to CIMA's strategic level exams.

How does the gateway route benefit me?
Once you successfully pass the gateway exam, you will gain 11 exemptions from the CIMA professional qualification and you will be awarded the CIMA advanced diploma in management accounting.

This allows you to use the designation letters CIMA Adv Dip MA and to proceed directly to the strategic level papers.

I am thinking of joining CIMA and I am eligible for the gateway route. Do I have to take this route?
We recommend that you look closely at the syllabus for CIMA papers E2, F2 and P2 and also at a past gateway paper. If you feel confident that you have a good understanding of the syllabus areas, then the gateway route may be preferable for you.

If you are in any doubt about your competence in E2, F2 or P2, we would recommend that you take the normal exemption route. Under the normal exemption route, the exemptions you are awarded are based on the university modules you have completed, or which professional body you belong to. For help with any queries prior to registration please email prospectivestudents@cimaglobal.com.

Eligibility for new CIMA students:
You must provide transcripts/marksheets and a graduation certificate for all stages of your MBA/Masters once you have registered.

Existing CIMA students:If you fulfil the above criteria you may be eligible to enter via this gateway route.

If you have failed any CIMA exams you must pass these before being eligible for this route. If you fulfil the criteria and wish to apply for this route, please email student.admissions@cimaglobal.com. They will respond to your request within three working days.

Lapsed/resigned CIMA student:
You may also apply for this route. The same rules as ‘existing CIMA students’ will apply. You will be required to re-register as a CIMA student and then email student.admissions@cimaglobal.com stating that you wish to apply for this route.

Registration deadlines
You can register as a CIMA student at any time.

However, there are two assessment exams sittings, in May and November.

Please note the following registration deadlines:

to sit the exam in May you must register as a student by 31 January

to sit the exam in November you must register as a student by 31 July.

In the section 'further details', you must select master gateway route when asked the following question: 'If you are joining as part of our professional or master's gateway scheme, please select your relevant qualification.'

You will be required to pay the full GBP600 at the end of the online registration process. Payment can be made with a credit/debit card, or if you live overseas, with a bank draft/cheque.

Details of where to send the payment will be available at the end of the registration process.

Registration for the masters gateway route is GBP600.

What does this price include?
This package includes: registration with CIMA, first year subscription fees, one exam entry and attempt at the assessment exam, three CIMAstudy.com online study modules (E2, P2 and F2) plus two others from one of the options below.

Option A: C1 + C2:This option may be suitable for an MBA graduate with a non-accounting background, or anyone who would like to brush up on the basics. These papers cover the fundamentals of management and financial accounting, which are considered ‘assumed knowledge’ for the gateway paper.

Option B: P1 + F1:This option may be suitable for an MBA graduate who would like to become more familiar with the performance and financial pillars, which form part of the gateway assessment. The performance pillar considers how finance facilitates the way strategy is formulated and implemented. The finance pillar considers how financial statements are prepared and interpreted.

Option C: E1 + P1:This option may be suitable for a masters in accounting graduate, who would like some focus on the enterprise and performance pillars. The enterprise pillar considers how we formulate and effectively implement strategy. The performance pillar considers how finance facilitates the way strategy is formulated and implemented.

Option D: E1 + F1:This option may be suitable for a masters in accounting graduate, who would like some focus on the enterprise and financial pillars. The enterprise pillar considers how we formulate and effectively implement strategy. The finance pillar considers how financial statements are prepared and interpreted.

I am already a CIMA student. Do I have to pay GBP600 for this route?
Yes, you will need to pay this amount.

I have been a CIMA student previously and hold an MBA/master's in accounting. What do I have to pay to rejoin CIMA?As a lapsed CIMA student with an MBA or master's in accounting, you are entitled to the master gateway route.

You will have to pay GBP600 which includes your re registration fee. You will also have to pay any outstanding exam fees.

What documentation do I need to provide in order to register as a student with CIMA?
You must provide transcripts/marksheets and a graduation certificate for all stages of your MBA/Masters once you have registered.

These documents may be emailed to CIMA: documents@cimaglobal.com. Please ensure you include your CIMA Contact ID number.

If I am absent from the gateway exam, how much will the subsequent exam sittings cost?If you book a gateway exam and are absent, this will count as your one free exam sitting. Your next exam sitting will be charged at the standard rate for operational/management level exams.

Studying for the exam
What is the syllabus for the gateway examination?

The gateway exam covers key material at the management level (E2, F2 and P2). To increase your chances of passing the gateway you need to be familiar with the content of all three syllabi.

The paper structure and syllabus content is:

Section A (75%)- three compulsory questions each worth 25 marks from the following areas of the CIMA management level exams:

How can I study for the gateway exam?
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the gateway examinable syllabus (see above). We also recommend that you see our study resources section and student community.

Can I get feedback on my performance?You will receive a breakdown of marks on each of the four questions. You can also request an administrative review, which is a further check on your exam script if you have a particular query relating to your marks. It does not provide written feedback on your answers.

Will there be a post exam guide available for the exams?
Yes. The answers will be available from the CIMA website a few weeks after the exam and a post exam guide will be available approximately three to four months after the exams.

If I fail the gateway exam how many attempts do I have at taking it again?
You can pay to sit the exam as many times as you need until you pass.

If I fail the gateway paper, do I have the option of getting my paper remarked?
No. As with all CIMA examinations, there is no remarking option.